Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

How is aesthetic eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) performed?

Blepharoplasty – an aesthetic eyelid surgery – corrects baggy or sagging tissue around the eyes through removal of excess skin, fat and muscle from the eyelids. It is considered a reconstructive surgery to improve one's vision, appearance or both. After the surgery, it will usually produce an effect that is pleasing to look at and can give one a more youthful, rested look. It can be performed on one or both eyelids.

Blepharoplasty is usually done in an outpatient setting. Depending on the extent of surgery that you require, this surgery may be performed under local anaesthesia or general anaesthesia.

During your preoperative assessment, your surgeon will decide how much skin, muscle and/or fat to remove. Markings will be made to indicate the surgical incisions and where tissue is to be removed.

Typically, for the upper eyelid, your surgeon will make an incision hidden within the natural fold of the upper eyelid. A new fold (double eyelid crease) will be created if you do not naturally have one. For the lower eyelid, the incision will be placed either just below the lower lashes (subconjunctival incision) or hidden inside the lower eyelid (transconjunctival incision).

Through the marked incisions, excess skin, muscle and possibly fat will be removed. Tissues may redistributed internally to reduce bulges and puffiness. The incisions will be closed with sutures or glue.